Friday, September 18, 2015

Core G/ Ancients/ Week 13 "F" Sept. 14-19, 2015 (47th week on this core)

Core G - Ancients
Week 13 "F" 
Sept. 14-19, 2015 
(47th week on this core)
Can you see inside the box? 

Ah, it's our dear old Smedley, being super cute!  BTW, not our box, it was from a yard sale, not sure what Coldwater Creek does and don't know how to blur the print out in photo's!  The point is to see the funny kitty!  

  • First week of Marching Band (alto Sax)
  • First week of Choir
  • First Week of LINK hs Co-op Classes 


A funny story from this week: This week Dd told me that she is NOT excited to go to college anymore.  I ask 'why', and she told me that 'just the idea of you going with me doesn't sound that fun.' Ha! Dh and I had been joking (seriously, joking!) about how I was going to go with her and how I was looking forward to some more fun college math classes; that she thought we were actually serious!  We were only joking with her, but apparently she never figured that out!  She was very relieved when we explained we had been joking!

Speaking of college---a few months ago, Dd told me that "Giz" had been asking her questions on the phone about college and voiced her concerns about 'homeschoolers going to college'.  Giz didn't think we would have a transcript or be able to take any of the standardized tests to show the colleges her abilities.  I thought long and hard - wondering if I should bring it up, or just continue to SHOW Giz (and any other family members that needed convincing) that homeschoolers do go to college.  I decided to not make a big confrontation about this issue, and just be prepared if Giz brought the issue up to me.  While visiting us two weeks ago, the Lord placed homeschool mom after homeschool mom in Giz's path and they each brought up their children to her.  Of course each of these mom's had numerous stories to tell about how exceedingly well their children were going, or did, while at college.  It was just totally providential and amazing.  These women had such super high achievers; medical school, scholarships, and lots of magna cum laud's--or something like that, that they were the highest scoring students in their colleges at their graduation.  I don't have such high goals; just for her to get a fantastic education.  I just was so amazed at how the Lord took care of answering her questions through the people we met at the picnic and at random yard sales...that just happened to be full of local homeschool families sharing their stories to strangers.  I wanted to publicly praise the Lord in taking care of that issue for me.  I didn't have to say anything---they did all the talking for me!

Last week's Indiana house update---
The family that bid for our home in Indiana has some new things to complete in order to get their loan for our home.  They have to get a "Termite Inspection" done---which should totally be easy and not a worry there...and since the wife had only started her job this month they want a full month's worth of paychecks to have proof of her keeping the job and that specific salary to satisfy their requirements for the loan. We are approving the extension of this process, and waiting to see if the bank is satisfied soon.  It should take another week for the wife to have all the paycheck stubs to show proof, and then the bank should be able to move on to the next step of making the loan.  I'm not sure how long that will take, but it does seem like this is still going forward in a positive way, just a bit slower than I ever imagined!

This weekends update: We got some paperwork from our realtor to sign, and this new forms extends the loan to Oct. 16th or 17th, 2015.  And one of the forms was a "FHA" form.  It looks like the people are applying for financial assistance from the government to get the loan.  Dh says this is probably why it is taking so many weeks for them to get a loan; since they are seeking extra help.  I am really growing quite tired of waiting on this family and never knowing if they will indeed get a loan or not; espcially when we might already be done with the whole process if another family had stepped up a few days sooner.  Now that we went down another $5,000 the interest in our home went up--our house was actually "trending" last week on Zillow!  Too bad it wasn't trending 6 weeks ago!  I hope you all keep us in your prayers as we continue to wade through this really long process with this one family.


Dh is finally able to wean himself off the Mucinex as his cold bug is getting better.

We went from having no activities to too, too many activities in one weeks time!  This week we started Dd in the Marching Band classes (playing the alto sax) and Choir at the Homeschool Building.  We also started the homeschool co-op this week; which had a few good points and a few bad points (Dd had a girl be quite rude/mean to her and this isn't something we have had to deal with before and is new for us).  And lastly, she has her "Girl's Night" with some good hs'ing friends.  So, she had an extremely social week!

We have been working on Core G, Week 13 for quite a few weeks now as we had a few different books that we needed to finish before we could move on to Week 14.  We had: Hostage Lands, Flame Over Tara, Bronze Bow, and the Ides of April.  Now that those books are done we can take a step forward.  

LINK homeschool Co-op: 3 classes:
First Period:Intro to Literature/Literary Analysis Teacher: Danielle Olander Class Fee: $8.00 This class will use the course “Teaching the Classics” from Center for Lit, taught by Adam Andrews. Each week we will watch part of a DVD seminar and then practice what was taught. By using short stories as the models and the Socratic approach (asking questions to lead a discussion) as the method, the authors systematically prepare you to analyze character, plot, theme, and other elements of fiction and literary analysis. Students are equipped with literary study tools that can then be used easily on longer works. Skills gained through this program will allow them to study any piece of literature. We will also practice writing about what we are reading and discussing. Homework: 1-2 hours per week for reading and writing assignments.



Second Period: Public Speaking - *2 Semesters* Teacher: Jane Heikoop Class Fee: $25 Have you looked at any job descriptions, college programs, or scholarship applications recently? They all include statements such as “excellent communication skills” or “must be a good communicator”. This class will take the fear out of public speaking and replace it with confidence. Public speaking is important for our Christian witness to win others to a biblical worldview. We will give presentations, how to speeches, and eventually short impromptu speeches. We will practice job interviews, college scholarship interviews, group discussions, how to introduce a speaker, etc. This class will include the book Secrets of Great Communicators, By Dr. Jeff Myers. Students also will use the internet to listen to assigned speeches of famous and infamous speakers which influenced others. This class will start with e-mail assignments given at home a week before other LINK classes begin and will have an additional week of class via e-mail assignments after LINK classes end, therefore students will have 12 weeks each semester. Students will learn to relax and enjoy speaking in front of a group! Homework: About 4 hours weekly

Third Period: Behind the Scenes Art Class Teacher: Liane Williams Class Fee: $8 Students in this art class will be exploring different mediums while providing advertisements, backdrops, scenery, and other types of creative support to the drama class. So much goes on behind the scenes of a production besides whispering! Those willing to commit to the performance will have the chance to help with audio/visual/stage crew. Come develop your artistic expression with the drama class, behind-the-scenes!

OUR lessons:

Bible:
In our Veritas Press Bible Program we completed the two cards and assignments on Esther, but I wanted to go ahead and finish reading the rest of the book of Esther and use our Women Of The Bible book, chapter on Esther, to finish off the week.
This week we studied Esther 9 and 10 with our Max Lucado/Life Lessons Study Bible and our Believer's Bible Commentary on those two chapters.

Our Psalm of the Week was Psalm 86:
Psalm 86
A prayer of David.
1Hear me, Lord, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.
2Guard my life, for I am faithful to you;
save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God; 3have mercy on me, Lord,
for I call to you all day long.
4Bring joy to your servant, Lord,
for I put my trust in you.
5You, Lord, are forgiving and good,
abounding in love to all who call to you.
6Hear my prayer, Lord;
listen to my cry for mercy.
7When I am in distress, I call to you,
because you answer me.
8Among the gods there is none like you, Lord;
no deeds can compare with yours.
9All the nations you have made
will come and worship before you, Lord;
they will bring glory to your name.
10For you are great and do marvelous deeds;
you alone are God.
11Teach me your way, Lord,
that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.
12I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;
I will glorify your name forever.
13For great is your love toward me;
you have delivered me from the depths,
from the realm of the dead.
14Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God;
ruthless people are trying to kill me—
they have no regard for you.
15But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,
slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
16Turn to me and have mercy on me;
show your strength in behalf of your servant;
save me, because I serve you
just as my mother did.
17Give me a sign of your goodness,
that my enemies may see it and be put to shame,
for you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.

(We read the Psalm in both our bible and the Believer's Bible Commentary.)

Speaking of God--we tried a new church today, and were actually met with such friendliness and kindness!  As it really should be, too!  The other church we have been going to since May has made such little effort to even say 'hello' to us.  It certainly knew the Word really well, but truly failed on the 'heart' issues---such as trying to be any bit friendly or loving to new people.  Poor Dd did not want to chuch hop any more, but we really desire to be part of a church that can be a real church "family" to us.  

We don't have a ton of work to show for our week, as it was a week FULL of new things, and new things really suck the life out of me!  On Wednesday after Dd's classes at the Homeschool Building (http://www.homeschoolbuilding.org/), I was so mentally/emotionally tired that we went home and worked on the house instead of doing our lessons!  We had officially waited the seven days of curing for the floors to be done in the living room and master bedroom, so Dd and I carried/pushed/shoved/rolled the furniture back into their spots---which took hours!  But, now we have a fairly empty dining room; as it was the store room for all our furniture this past seven - ten days!  It is so nice to be able to sit in our living room again!  We managed to get quite a few things done in regard to unpacking and fixing this week as our mental resources were used up in the new things.

Math:
Math U See: Algebra I

7A, B, C, D and test


Science: 

Apologia: Human Anatomy and Physiology:
pgs 231-242 and wrote notes along with it


Current Events:
we skipped CNN Student News the whole week!

Easy Grammar, Plus:
pg's 202-208

All About Spelling 7:
we skipped this week--we were suppose to start back with our spelling this week, and just couldn't manage it yet.  Hoping as we get use to our new schedule we will be able to accomplish more.


IEW Fix-It:
We were *suppose* to start this subject back up this week, but it also fell to the side.  We will try again next week!

She did have writing homework due for her first class of Public Speaking, which she did.

Music:
She had a "Instrument Fitting" at Marshall's Music!  She spent about an hour trying and re-trying all sorts of instruments to find out which one clicked with her.  She was partial to the the alto sax and the french horn, but landed on the sax in the end.  Now she has music practice five days a week, and her book that goes with it.

Reader: Sonlight Reader:
Ides of April by Mary Ray: Completed
Dd really liked this book a lot.  She thought it was particularly good and considerably better than the last few SL books she had as readers.  
Rainbow Resources summary:
Hylas is a young Greek slave in the household of Caius Pomponius, a Roman Senator involved in political schemes. When the senator is found mysteriously murdered, the household slaves (including Hylas and his mother) fall under suspicion. Hylas escapes capture long enough to enlist the aid of a young tribune, Camillus Rufus. The desperate attempt to unravel the threads of the political intrigue carries Camillus into the presence of Nero and brings Hylas into contact with the new secret sect of Christians.


Our FUN Read Aloud:
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien: In Process
We've listened to this book on audio; a few times, and I never got that clear of an image in my brain of the story until my reading it aloud to Dd.  I always liked the book, but now with me reading it aloud, I am super-impressed with it.  It amazes me how some books go so well with an audio, like the Little House on the Prairie books, and others just don't work as well, **for me**.  I have to say, Dd has listened on audio, read it to herself, and now is listening to me read it, and she *got* each version.  But, I have improved my rating of this story after reading it aloud.  So, if you never were super impressed with this book after hearing it on audio; perhaps you could give it a try as a reader or a read aloud?!


SL Read Aloud:

Product Details

Flame Over Tara

2004
by Madeleine Polland and Omar Davis
Flame Over Tara: In Process
by Madeleine Polland 
We are really liking this book so far--this book is set in Ireland, and the Priest Patrick comes to the land to spread the good news of Jesus.  It has been interesting to read about the druids, and how they must have been so opposed to Christian ways taking over the ground that they had swayed for so long.  It is beautifully written and creates a very picturesque view of the land and sea.


Fun Books that Dd is reading:
Product Details

Percy Jackson's Greek Heroes

Aug 18, 2015
by Rick Riordan 
Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson's Greek Heroes: In Process 
She is almost done, she just has the last section on Jason to read yet.  She is totally loving this book!


Product Details

The Maze Runner (Book 1)

Aug 24, 2010
The Maze Runner by James Dashner: In Process


Product Details

Princess Ben

May 4, 2009
Princess Ben by Catherine Gilbert Murdock: In Process
She has read this book at least 2 or 3 times already, but it is one of her favorites and she likes to revisit her friend!


Fun Audio:
By the Shores of Silver Lake, narrated by Cherry Jones---who does such a great job on these books!
Product Details

By the Shores of Silver Lake (Little House): IN PROCESS

Apr 8, 2008
by Laura Ingalls Wilder and Garth Williams





I am working on our Christmas gifts---should be finishing my third gift tonight...so close to being done.  I wish I could share pictures; but the gift I am working on might just be for you!  I'm knitting a lot!

May the Lord bless each of you and fill you with peace and faith!

Monday, September 14, 2015

Alto Sax Day One Sept. 14, 2015

Alto Sax - Day One 
Sept. 14, 2015
Beginning of a new chapter!



Today the woman in charge (Wendy) of the homeschool band here in West Michigan gave me a call---I'd emailed asking her some questions about getting Dd into the band.  She chatted for about an hour with all the details, and told me to call the near by (30 min) music store and schedule an "Instrument Fitting."  I'd never heard of such a thing! But, I called and "Carl" said to come on in, the sooner the better.  Well, don't you know he asked what instruments Wendy suggested we try, and then he went in the back and brought out three loads of instruments for Dd to try.  He was so patient and showed her how each one worked, how to hold it, where your fingers go, which type of blowing and lips you need for each one...etc.  After the "fitting," Dd needed a few minutes to think things over--she was down to the French Horn or the Alto Sax.  She knows that I had always wanted to learn to play the sax, and Dh played the sax in his high school band too.  So, since she liked them both equally she leaned to the sax.

Here is the band website:http://www.wmhfa.org/


Her first band class starts on Wednesday morning! already! They are the LARGEST marching band in the nation (must be largest homeschool band), by Wendy's comments. What "perfect timing" the Lord always has.  In just two weeks we went from having NO outside things to having TWO days worth; as our co-op starts on Thursday and she already has homework!  I'm beginning to hope our lessons don't get pushed too much!

Oh, and Friday is the Girls Night event with the fun homeschool girls she met a few months back---the ones we did the bible study/movie night: The Giver, and also went to the King Tut exhibit with...and a nail polish painting event...yeah, those girls!  They are super special as the love Star Wars, LOTR, and Ranger's Apprentice with comparable zeal and zest.  They are also in band, and are the ones who suggested to me to get on board. 

Now, if only the church we have been going to would do something---I filled out another "contact card" asking to meet with the minister for a chat---and no response yet.  But, a woman that I've seen many times came over and did say good morning and chat for a minute (or, actually, I talked for two minutes while she nodded!).  I also went up to a group of men before the service started and shock their hands, and then went up to a woman (Shirley) who had said hello to us last month--I went up to her and said "Shirley, Good Morning!" and she totally had no clue who I was! ha!  I had to explain to her that she had said hello to me before and that I remembered her name...and she told me that was better than her, as she had no idea who I was!!  Poor woman!  I could tell I startled her.

While I am updating---I should share today's news---the Appraisal of our house in Indiana was done, and it came back $9,000 more than they would be paying.  So it is valued higher than they would be getting a loan---which is great news for the new buyers; as they are getting a really, really sweet deal.  So, that is one step closer to the bank approving their loan and processing it.  Gwen, our lovely realtor said we should hear something by the end of this week--or NEXT week!  Yikes!  This is the song that never ends!
Poor Sophie didn't know what to make of this strangled goose!  Dd is trying to introduce her to her new instrument.  I think we will wait a little while before doing the violin lessons, but she is still very keen on the violin, but with the violin she wouldn't be able to do the Marching Band...and the band goes on big trips--next summer they are playing at a Canadian event at Niagara Falls.
......

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Core G Week 13 "E" Sept. 7-13, 2015 Giz & Grampy visit...work week

Core G 
Week 13 "E" 
Sept. 7-13, 2015 
Giz & Grampy visit...work week

This was such a great week!  We had Giz and Grampy arrive a few hours after we did from Indiana.  They had left us on Sat. night to drive back to their house (2 hour drive) so that they could go to church on Sunday.  ("Giz" is the nickname Dd gave to her paternal grandmother.)  Definitely our best times were at night, out at the table on the deck playing Skip-Bo all together.  Boy, that Giz and Grampy were fierce!  I can honestly say I had never seen Giz laugh SO much, so hard, so often than while playing cards each night.  We don't have a television, so we made our own entertainment!  Great memories too!!!

Quick comment about the weather--so Giz is use to having the air conditioner on, and we haven't had it on at our house for over a month (saving our pennies, don't you know!), but Eric couldn't see his Mom being too hot, so we turned the AC on.  The first part of the week was SO super hot and muggy...but, by the end of the week we were wrapped in numerous blankets outside at our table on the deck to eat our breakfast, or play cards at night...freezing (Dh and Dd both have colds now, btw.)  This week was such a crazy 'fall' weather week--it literally went from one extreme to another!

We had a LOT of assignments for Grampy to work on, and Dd enjoyed day after day of Giz time.  Dh took Monday off so he could share in one day of work with us before heading back to his job. 

Monday we all had to work together to get the UHAUL unpacked and returned. Some Grampy jobs: Grampy took most of one day taking apart the dishwasher to figure out which "thermal fuse" was broken.  Now Dh has to order the replacement and put it in.  Grampy bought new plumbing for the basement toilet that broke--job done.  He hung Dd's mirror in her bathroom. He found my umbrella poles-for my clothes drying gizmo.  He used the air compressor to clean out and under both refrigerators and get them in top shape for their new locations.  We moved the refrigerators--you'd think that would be an easy job, but it literally took hours.  You'll have to take my word for it.  Grampy only does things one way...the 'right' way.  We also all worked together to unpack boxes from the out building and getting Dd's old toys, letters, boxes of "stuff" to the attic.  We sure kept busy all week!

I asked Dd to finish her math homework from last week, and work on her Veritas Press Bible Workbook--but that is technically all I asked of her academically this week.  I figured this was going to be a HOME ECONOMICS week, and a full one of that!

The mini-updates before I list our doings:
We thought our realtor said we would know something definite by Tues. or Wed., but that didn't happen.  We still have NO idea if our bidders have gotten a bank to back their bid yet.  We are still praying and walking by faith.  So, nothing yet concrete on whether or not our house has sold yet.  It is still technically on the market and having showings.

Dh's work: Well, a good thing happened this week.  They took off one of his responsibilities and gave that to another person.  It will come with some adjustment pains, I'm sure, but in the long run I hope this will lead to them hiring another person to do that job once they all realize it is a really big job!  But, Dh seems to be feeling a tad better about the progress.

LINK homeschool group: Did I tell you all that we did get accepted into the local homeschool group?  We did! SO thankful!  On Thursday Dd and I attended the orientation and had dinner with two board members at the church that they use for the co-op.  They have used this same church for 30 years!!! Yikes!  LINK has been a co-op for that long already!  Then after the orientation, we drove back to our house, picked up Giz, Grampy, and Dh for the Fall Kick Off at the Park event.  Dd had made two batches of blueberry muffins to enter into the dessert contest.  We had a good time.

That is all of our updates (except Dh and Dd have caught a cold and are sickly again).

Dd's highlights from the week:

Dd and Giz painted her bathroom (in the loft) a pretty blue color.

Got bathroom all decked out--mirror hanged...etc.

Major/Massive cleaning of room, closet, rugs, floors.
Unpacked more boxes of her stuff in her room...with Giz
Baked APPLE CRISP! So yummy!

Baked "Snowball" cupcakes (chocolate cupcakes, with squeezed in frosting, with coconut frosting on top.)


Baked two batches of blueberry muffins.

We had a bon-fire and roasted hot dogs and S'mores...Grampy had brought this big box from Indiana in case we might need it, but we didn't, so we had fun watching it burn.

Hamburgers: She did it all, all by herself--mixed the meat, made the patties, got the charcoal in the grill, did the chimney thing, got the coals going, grilled the hamburgers alone, all of it, every step alone!
Washed our dog, Sophie!

Worked with Giz on all meal prep all week!


Skip Bo  -

Skip Bo

We all played Skip-Bo together every night but one night when I had a headache and went to bed early...so.much.fun!  


Product Details

Laura's Album: A Remembrance Scrapbook of Laura Ingalls Wilder (Little House)

Oct 13, 1998
by William Anderson

Product Details

Percy Jackson's Greek Heroes

Aug 18, 2015
by Rick Riordan and John Rocco
She obsess read her new book: Percy Jacksons Greek Heroes by Rick Riordan!  Still in process..big book!

Product Details

Into the Woods 1-Disc DVD

2014
PG
DVD: Into the Woods, 2015 version with Meryl Streep

LINK orientation

LINK Fall Kick Off, and dessert competition
(classes start next week!)

Yard Sales with Giz (and me) on Friday...where Giz bought her a VIOLIN! So exciting!
Yard Sales with Dh and me (on Sat)! We have been so busy this spring and summer we haven't had a chance to go out and yard sale!  We met the nicest homeschooling families at one particular house---we chatted for about an hour! 

The Purpose Driven Life, Limited Custom Edition   -     By: Rick Warren
 

The Purpose Driven Life, Limited Custom Edition

I have been reading Purpose Driven Life, by Rick Warren, for the third time in my life.  I'm doing a really good job of taking notes and highlighting.  I've already bought 3 copies to give away--already gave away 1 copy to a friend in Indiana whose son died in an accident and needs lifting and reconnecting (and prayer).  I so highly recommend this gem of a book.  I have read many books twice, but only a few have I read three times!  So helpful and powerful.


This is the first coat..the mistake coat...of "coconut" color paint.  It was from the bottom of the bucket, and got all clumpy and messy as I tried to roll it.  I had to wait until it dried and literally use my sander on it to level it back out.  Notice our normal refrigerator is here now!  Grampy and I moved the one that was here when we bought the house to the garage and put in OUR refrigerator!  Yay!  I can't tell you just how awful the other refrig was...awful!
Okay, now this is much better!  This is after two coats of Kilz!  Dd insists that we paint this wall yellow, so I got it all ready for her.  Now to see if she will paint it, or if I will?!?
When Giz is around, there is lots of laundry getting done!  She is a laundry person.  The best part, for me, was that my normal metal "umbrella stand/drying rack" had gotten lost in the jumble of the move, and I couldn't find my lower part of the trunk of the thing, and GRAMPY FOUND IT!  I am now back to using my old clothes umbrella for drying LOTS of clothes all at once!  So glad for Grampy and his keen eyes!  Of course, once you get good and on a roll, the cat (Smedley-almost 17 years old) gets in the basket and puts a stop to all progress!!!!


So, my floors---after we had already Spackled, Kilz'ed, and painted the floors with an oil based paint, two coats, I still wasn't pleased with these upstairs floors.  The floors in the basement I had put 3-5 coats of polyurethane on, and that really made them look and feel SO much better.  So, I decided to revisit these floors on the main floor.  Last week I Spackled the floors and then this week I put a new coat of oil based 'floor' paint (stone color).  Then I got out my sander and sanded the floors to a really nice, smooth surface.  Then I put down FOUR coats (took me a few days) of polyurethane, for that pretty shine and seal on the floor.  Tuesday was the last coat, and we have left all our furniture off the floors so they can really dry well.  The can says to wait seven days before bringing furniture back.  I kind of cheated with my bed and heavy dresser---I just painted around where the feet rested and left them where they were.  The room is so small I know we won't be rearranging it in any other way---so this should be safe enough.


Here is a few pictures to show you how the floor is looking:






.......

Core G Week 13 "D" Aug. 31-Sept. 4, 2015 (45th week on this core)

Core G 
Week 13 "D" 
Aug. 31-Sept. 4, 2015 
(45th week on this core)
Lessons and a trip back to our Indiana home!


Missing our Indiana home so much...




This week we continued trying to do two goals at the same time, 1)our lessons and 2)fixing up the house.  It is a doable goal, but not easy!  This week I had a migraine, and a few headaches that didn't help the juggling, but we did the best we could.  I put what we did in our lessons at the very bottom of this post; but you have to scroll down the pictures of our Indiana moving day.

On the house fixing--Mon. & Tues.:
painted the basement hall with Kilz
painted 1/2 the basement "Rec Room"/living room with Kilz
painted the upstairs living room with the "stone" oil paint
painted the master bedroom with "stone" oil paint

Wed.:
painted another coat of "stone" in living room & master bedroom
painted first coat of polyurethane on l.r. and m.b.
carried boxes of books to the spare bedroom in basement
Dh got the printer hooked up in the 'library'/lessons room

Thur.:
Went to the downtown library, so that cut into our work..but, I did get a second coat of polyurethane down in living room and master bedroom.

Fri.:
Painted third coat of polyurethane in living room and master bedroom.  Packed up the van for our trip down to Indiana--drove from 7:30pm to a bit after midnight.  Slept on air mattresses.









Sat.:
Got a 26' UHAUL truck in the morning and loaded it up.  Giz and Grampy arrived to help us--or support us! either way!  We got the LAST (praise the Lord!) the LAST of our stuff!  The washer & dryer, all my paintings, etc. etc.  Giz and Grampy only stayed for a few hours, and drove back home so they could go to church in the morning.

Sun.:
Cleaned the house spotless, and packed some things from the kitchen cabinets that had been overlooked, and then drove to Michigan.  After a few hours, Giz and Grampy arrived to spend the next week with us...helping to fix and unpack.  I got a fouth (and final) coat of polyurethane down on the living room and master bedroom.  After the final coats of polyurethane, we have to wait SEVEN days before we can put our furniture on top of the floor.






OUR LESSONS:

We are still ramping up slowly and not at our normal pace yet.


Bible: 
Believer's Bible Commentary, Second Edition
Ester 5, 6, 7, and 8 read with Life Lessons in the Max Lucado Study Bible, and The Believer's Bible Commentary
Veritas Press: Chronicles Through Malachi
Card 89: Completed
Haman Plots Against the Jews (c. 510 B.C.)

Card 90: Esther Saves The Jews: Dd still has to finish her workpages.
The Greenleaf Guide to the Old Testament:
Lesson 168: Esther appeals to the King
Lesson 169: The King Honors Mordecai, Haman Outraged
Lesson 170: Haman's Plot Revealed, Haman Executed

History:

Audio: The Bronze Bow: completed
we started this book over and over, and finally had to try listening to it on audio while we knitted, and found that that worked!  So glad we did manage to keep trying until we succeeded!  We almost gave up, but had heard so many good reviews about this book that I knew I had to keep trying to fit it in.  This was the one book I had asked Dd to read over the summer, and even tried reading it aloud to her twice; but got distracted with the house work.  Finally we found the audio and that worked!  The reviews were all correct in singing it's praises!

Fun Read Aloud:


The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien: in process
We are having a great time reading this gem again!  Such a good book!!!

SL stuff:

The Kingfisher History Encyclopedia: pg 64-75


Ides of April (Reader): ch. 2-10



Science:

Apologia Human Anatomy: pg 210-228
writing notes



Math:
Math U See:Algebra I, lesson 5 A-E


Current Events:
CNN Student News
Monday-Friday


Grammar:
Easy Grammar Plus: pg 193-201

Wrote letters to Indiana friends--Shiloh and Allie



Chores:

help with dishes, putting away dry, washing four dishes per day
help with laundry each day
cat litter each day

Fun Books:


Product Details

Every Day Deserves a Chance: Wake Up to the Gift of 24 Hours

Apr 29, 2007
Max Lucado's, Every Day Deserves A Chance (she found at the downtown library sale and wanted to read it).




Product Details
The Maze Runner

The Maze Runner (Book 1)

Aug 24, 2010




Product Details

A World Without Heroes (Beyonders)

Feb 14, 2012
 Beyonders: Book One: completed




Product Details

Chronicles: Cloaks & Daggers (The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug) by Falconer, Daniel, Weta (2014) Hardcover

The Hobbit The Desolution of Smaug Cloaks & Daggers


Fun Audio's:


Product Details

On the Banks of Plum Creek CD (Little House-the Laura Years)

Apr 15, 2003 | Audiobook
finished Banks of Plum Creek: Completed


Product Details

By the Shores of Silver Lake CD (Little House-the Laura Years)

Oct 5, 2004 | Audiobook
by Laura Ingalls Wilder and Cherry Jones
On the Shores of Silver Lake: in process



Home Economics:
Made a delicious broccoli, cheese, and egg noodle casserole and taught me a new knitting stitch---called the "drop stitch" which has been SO fun to do.  I am on my **third** Christmas gift already!

All in all a good week!

.......

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Update Sept 9, 2015

Update Sept 9, 2015


Hello Friends,
Giz and Grampy are working so hard that it just doesn't feel right to sit at the computer and put in my post for last week, or for this week.  So, for at least now I am going to just leave this little update and when/if I get a chance I will get down to post some pictures and some detail.  For now---we still have not heard anything back from our realtor regarding the buyers!  SO frustrating, not hearing!!  So, we are doing our best to remain patient and know the Lord has it all in His hands!

I did finish the floors in the living room and master bedroom yesterday afternoon!  Praise the Lord!  Now, we just have to keep off them, and keep our furniture all piled up in the dining room for a few more days and then we can unpack those wonderful sofa's!  We have been eating outside on our front deck....rain or shine (there is a section with a roof covering and we moved the table there during the rain).

More update later!  Hope all of you are doing well!

...........

Monday, September 7, 2015

Update Post Sept. 7, 2015

Just a real quick post--we just got back from another trip to Indiana...and another 26 foot UHAUL truck; to get our **last** furniture, paintings, gardening stuff, washer & dryer... So, all that is left is just a few basic things for any future trips down (microwave, air mattresses, bedding, lawn mower, weed wacker...).  This was a good trip down, and we got so much done!  All the items that we said we would fix for the current bidders---painting, tightening toilet, caulking here and there..etc...Done!

Now, the next step will be to see if these bidders have found a bank to give them a loan!  We should find out this week if they have a bank and are in the process of getting a loan.

If they have....well, then we will be selling our house!  Which is a blessing, but also sad.  I really enjoyed our homeschool group---such nice fellowship there.

Giz and Grampy have driven up, and arrived a few hours after we did last night.  Today we unpacked what we didn't get out of the truck last night; and we have taken back our UHAUL truck.  I believe that brings our tally to FOUR UHAUL's!  Oh my!

Grampy is going to fix toilets here, and work on the "honey do" list while I paint.  Giz and Dd are already in the kitchen making more food together.  Dh goes back to work in the morning.

Thank you to my dear friends who have been praying for us to get our house sold!  I think we are getting very close.  Our realtor is still showing it, and has a few families interested if these people aren't able to get a loan.  But, I'd still appreciate it if everyone still kept praying until it is really, officially 'sold'.